The logistics of the Mothman Festival

POINT PLEASANT — Over 10,000 people are expected to attend the Mothman Festival this year on Sept. 16-17.

With that many people attending, city officials in Point Pleasant, along with Mason Emergency Management Agency (EMA), festival organizers, and Mason County Tourism are working to increase the capacity of the infrastructure and parking.

“Last year the traffic was so bad it was backed up over the bridge into Ohio,” said Denny Bellamy, Mason County Tourism director.

In response to this, plans are being made to control the parking and flow of traffic in hopes to prevent any problems this year.

Mason County EMA is coordinating with the West Virginia Department of Highways and the Ohio Department of Transportation to make sure signage is up to help the flow of traffic.

According to Randy Hall, street commissioner for Point Pleasant, much of the traffic jam last year resulted from drivers in the wrong lane. Better signs on the highways and incoming roads will help alleviate that burden.

Hall added several lots are being established around the city to manage the flow of parking. Increased parking will be utilized on the north end of town, at Krodel Park, and the Mason County Board of Education Office. This will allow patrons to park according to what direction they came from, decreasing traffic in downtown Point Pleasant.

With the added parking capacity, shuttles and transport to and from these lots is being worked out by officials. One way to help with this is for any organization with a 15 passenger van can volunteer their time and vehicle to shuttle people to and from the lots. Organizations that wish to do this will have to provide a driver, the van, and will have to be covered under their own insurance policy, according to Hall. Fuel will be provided.

Bellamy explained that these groups cannot charge patrons to ride, but will be allowed to collect tips in order to raise funds for their organization, creating an opportunity to raise funds and awareness. To sign up with a van, call the city building at 304-675-5989.

Bellamy also issued a caution to anyone trying to get into Point Pleasant for reasons other than the festival.

“If you’re from the area, get whatever done if you need to before Saturday (of the festival), because it will be impossible to get downtown,” he said.

The post office and People’s Bank, both on Main Street, will remain open until noon, that Saturday, but after that Main Street will be shut down to vehicles.

(Editor’s note: The City of Point Pleasant will be collecting a parking fee from visitor’s who park at Krodel Park, with all proceeds going to fund the Splash Pad, also set for Krodel Park.)

More than 12,000 people visited last year’s Mothman Festival with those record-setting numbers expected to grow. Pictured is a scene from a crowded Main Street on Saturday at the 2016 festival.

http://www.mydailyregister.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2017/08/web1_9.20-PPR-Mothman-22.jpgMore than 12,000 people visited last year’s Mothman Festival with those record-setting numbers expected to grow. Pictured is a scene from a crowded Main Street on Saturday at the 2016 festival.